Steel Frame Construction

Steel Frame Construction

Steel Frame Construction With Building Codes & Certified Drawings
By Richard Bose

Steel frame generally refers to a construction technique which makes use of horizontal steel I-beams and vertical steel columns in the shape of rectangular grid to support the roof, walls and floors of a building. The development of easy and cost-effective steel framing techniques has helped realizing skyscrapers of today. Steel framing offers exceptional design flexibility due to the intrinsic strength of steel allowing it to spread over a longer distance than wood and also withstand seismic and wind loads.

The International Code Council's (ICC) International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) provide complete guidance for standard steel framing. These building codes are largely accepted as the governing building codes by most building departments in the US. IRC and IBC codes also reference a series of standards developed by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the American Iron & steel Institute (AISI) to furnish additional information for the design of steel buildings and structures.

Just like any other pre-fabricated structural components, floor sections, walls and roof trusses require engineered layouts and drawings for local building code approval. Steel truss and panel fabricators are required to supply engineered designs, in accordance with the contractor's architectural drawings. Commercial or non-residential construction designs will require an engineer's review as well as seal irrespective of material being used for construction.

The very first step in executing any project should be a formal discussion with the local building authority. This is the best way to find out specifics that will affect your project and building code jurisdiction in future.

The process of examining a steel frame is similar to what is encountered for most structural techniques - first the reviewer will ensure that all specifications are accurate and in agreement with local code provisions. Then Architectural drawings are reviewed to make sure that wall types are accurately marked and details are provided for important connections, and electrical, mechanical and plumbing drawings are matched with the structural drawings. Finally, Structural drawings will be examined for consistency with the architectural drawings to make sure that exact detailing is supplied for members like steel trusses, studs and bar joists.

Steel Frame Construction